The music-presenter’s firing comes as the Turkey also ended a long-time ban on the wearing of Islamic headscarfs by female civil workers, a ban that dates back to the 1920s. The ban was imposed by Turkey’s founders to prevent the repression of women.

However, the government of Prime Minister , which repealed the ban, called the repeal a bid to increase democratization and freedom. Erdogan, the chairman of the Justice and Development Party, has been accused by many observers of promoting Islamic fundamentalism in Turkey, which has long enjoyed a reputation for secularism.

Kansu was employed by ATV television, which is owned by Calik Holding, whose CEO just happens to be Berat Albayrak, Erdogan’s son-in-law.